The Danville-Boyle County Airport hosted the 28th annual Great American Balloon Race Friday evening. A total of 19 teams competed in the race, which was a “hare-n-hound” style competition. The “hare” balloon takes off first, and the competitors — the “hounds” — take off around 10 minutes later and attempt to follow the flight path of the hare. When the hare balloon lands, its team deploys a giant “X,” which the hound balloons attempt to drop bags of grass seed on. The closest bag to the center of the X is declared the winner.

Members of the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers brass band entertain the crowd early in the evening.

Bikers with the Wheelmen ride antique-style bicycles along the runway as a crowd lines up for tethered balloon rides.

Members of the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers brass band entertain the crowd early in the evening.

Bikers with the Wheelmen ride antique-style bicycles along the runway.

Members of the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers brass band entertain the crowd early in the evening.

Balloon pilots participate in a pre-race planning meeting outside a hangar.

Michelle Cummins, back left, waves to friends as she accompanies Trinity Jones, 7, left, and Titus Jones, 5, in a tethered balloon ride.

Bikers with the Wheelmen ride antique-style bicycles along the runway.

Bikers with the Wheelmen ride antique-style bicycles along the runway.

Hunter Sabells of Louisville holds down the crown line as the hare balloon inflates.

Hunter Sabells of Louisville holds down the crown line as the hare balloon inflates.

Laurent Nash of Stanford, right, carries his daughter, Hollie, 6, on his shoulders as they watch hot air balloons take off.

A member of the team in the “hare” balloon points shortly after takeoff.

Tethered balloon riders watch as balloons inflate and take off all around them.

Attendees watch and react as balloons take off.

A balloon pilot guides his balloon to a standing position in preparation for takeoff.

Jomin Davis, third from right, Adam Graham, second from right, and Graham’s 19-month-old son, Colton, take a selfie as balloons take off behind them.

Order prints of these and more photos from the balloon race here.